"Jewels from MIZUKA II," a performance produced by Mizuka Ueno, was first planned in 2014 and was a huge success. The second installment is coming soon!
In response to Ueno's call, Japanese dancers active both in Japan and overseas, including world-famous star dancers Vladimir Malakhov and Marcelo Gomes, will gather at Kanagawa Prefectural Hall to deliver a one-night-only spectacular performance.
Ueno, a top dancer representing Japan and extremely popular, is originally from Kanagawa Prefecture. He has a deep connection with the Prefectural Hall, and this year alone he has appeared in many events there, including the "Petipa 200th Anniversary Gala" in September and the "Fantastic Gala Concert" at the end of the year.
"Kenmin Hall is a stage that I have a lot of attachment to," says Ueno, so we asked her about the highlights of this production!
What made you want to not only dance but also produce performances?
I've loved dancing since I was a child, and I've danced in a variety of different works in a variety of environments. When I started to have thoughts like "I want to dance this" or "I want to perform that," I was invited to gala performances like "Malakhov & Friends" and "Lugris and His Glorious Friends," and I think it was a wonderful experience.
Gala performances have a unique atmosphere that is different from full-length performances, like a festival. As I gained more experience, I started to look at my colleagues and imagine things like, "What if he danced that role?" or "It would be wonderful if she danced that role," and I began to want to produce my own gala performance.
The first production was a big success.
Thank you. Last time, I mainly had my friends who I dance with in the ballet company perform, and it was impressive to see them show different expressions than usual and dance lively and happily. They also said, "It was a lot of fun," and "I definitely want to do it again," so I was happy that not only I but everyone enjoyed it.
What's interesting about producing your own work?
It gives you the feeling that you are doing it through your own efforts, and it really makes you feel like you're "alive!"
Throughout my career, there are works that have left an impression on me and made me want to dance again, and works that I have always admired and hoped I would have the opportunity to dance in. I think that my gala performance is a way to gather and perform the little dreams that I have accumulated in that way.
Please tell us the highlights of this event
We have prepared a wide variety of works, from classical to modern. In addition, we have a wide variety of guests, including Malakhov, who always invites us to our gala performances, so I am very much looking forward to it.
Even if we are active in the same country, we don't often have the opportunity to share the same stage with dancers from different companies. I believe that by sharing the stage with them, we will be able to feel something for each other.
What works do you recommend?
Of course, all of them!
If I were to talk about the piece I will be dancing, it would first be "Libertango". Until now, I have danced with Naoki Takagishi and Dan Emoto, who choreographed this piece, and have received positive reviews, but this time I will be dancing with Gomez. When I asked him when he came to Japan for the World Ballet Festival in August, he immediately agreed, saying, "I also wanted to dance with Mizuka," so I was actually the one surprised (laughs). Although I have worked with Gomez on gala performances and other occasions, this is the first time we will be partners, so I'm excited.
And then there's "Bolero" choreographed by Roland Petit. I've danced Béjart's "Bolero" dozens of times around the world, but this is my first time performing Petit's version. It was a long time ago, but Petit told me that he wanted Mizuka to dance it once, but the opportunity never came. This time, the chance has finally come, so I'm really looking forward to dancing with Emoto-san. Although it's completely different from Béjart's version, it's a fascinating piece with Petit's unique esprit.
In classical dance, they dance "Pirates".
Yes. I've worked with Emoto-san many times, but this is my first time with Akimoto-san, so I'm looking forward to this too. We both said, "I want to dance with you someday," so this is one of our "little dreams."
I think the most important thing is to realize the accumulation of my dreams in a way that makes the audience happy. I am making preparations to ensure that it will be a wonderful experience for the dancers who will be performing, and of course, for the audience who will come to watch.
Please come and enjoy the show!
Ballet produced by Mizuka Ueno
"Jewels from MIZUKA II"
[Date and time] November 17th (Sat) 15:00~ (doors open at 14:15)
[Venue] Kanagawa Prefectural Hall, Large Hall
[Program and appearances]
Adagio Alonso from Carmen Suite Choreography : Mizuka Ueno Marcelo Gomes
Libertango by Naoki Takagishi Choreography by Mizuka Ueno and Marcelo Gomes
Bolero Petit Choreography : Mizuka Ueno Dan Emoto
From "Pirates" : Mizuka Ueno, Dan Emoto, Yasuomi Akimoto
From "Romeo and Juliet" Choreography : Seiichi Shinohara, Yurie Shimomura, Tomoya Imai
Manon la mou Béjart Choreography : Mika Yoshioka
Craze before dawn (Madness before dawn) Naoya Takamitsu Choreography : Ayako Ono Yudai Fukuoka
Pas de debintrae from "Aladdin" Choreography : Ayako Ono and Yudai Fukuoka
Adagio from "Swan Lake" Act 2 : Rie Watanabe, Yuichiro Kyodo
From "La Sylphide" : Kanako Oki and Yasuomi Akimoto
From Absence of Story, Toru Shimazaki, Choreography : Manami Hariyama, Vladimir Malakhov
Shelter Skelter (New Work Premiere) Ryuta Takahashi Choreography :〈Art Climbers Works〉Ryuta Takahashi Naoyoshi Nagase
Hiroki Umezawa, Junya Okazaki, Nochi Matsuno, Mayumi Nishimura, Harumi Denda, Miho Ueda, Akira Akiyama
*Music is specially recorded
[Price] S seats: 9,000 yen, A seats: 7,000 yen, B seats: 5,000 yen, C seats: 3,000 yen, students (under 24 years old, limited number of tickets) 2,000 yen
[TEL] 0570-015-415 (Ticket Kanagawa)
*Preschool children are not allowed to enter.
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The giveaway application period has now ended. Thank you to everyone who applied.
[Application Summary]
We will be giving away tickets to the ballet "Jewels from MIZUKA Ⅱ" produced by Mizuka Ueno, which will be performed at Kanagawa Prefectural Hall from 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 17th, to one pair of two people.
【Application method】
If you would like to receive a viewing ticket as a gift, please fill out the questionnaire in the application form below and apply. We look forward to receiving your application.
[Application Deadline]
Until 24:00 on Friday , November 2
[Lottery and Winner Announcement]
Winners will be notified by email, so please be careful to check your spam settings. Emails will be sent from the Magcal.net Management Office (info.magcul@gmail.com).
The above email will serve as the winner notification instead of the announcement of the winner. On the day of the performance, please present the winning notification email at the Kanagawa Prefectural Hall ticket counter. A staff member will hand you the ticket.
*Personal information provided will not be used for any purpose other than the lottery.
